Lina Luaces is preparing to hand over the Miss Universe Cuba crown and step back into student life after a year that put her on a far bigger stage than she had ever known. The Cuban model and daughter of Lili Estefan said she plans to resume her Economics degree once her reign ends.
That next step is drawing attention now because Luaces has just emerged from a pageant cycle that moved her from Miami to Miss Universo and back into the public eye. She recently appeared on El gordo y la flaca to talk about what came after the competition and why she is ready to refocus on her studies.
Luaces was crowned Miss Universe Cuba in 2025, representing Santiago de Cuba and taking home the Miss Prensa recognition during the contest in Miami. She went on to represent Cuba at Miss Universo, where the demands of the competition extended beyond the stage and into weeks of travel, appearances and constant scrutiny.
Speaking about the period after Miss Universo, Luaces said she chose to take a Catholic retreat because she wanted to reconnect with her spirituality and take care of her mental health. She also said she spent long stretches away from her family and friends during her preparation, and she made clear where her priorities now stand: “Mi educación es mi prioridad.”
Her run was not met only with celebration. Luaces’ selection brought support, but it also sparked criticism and questions on social media, part of the pressure that often follows a high-profile crown. Still, she said she wants to get back to “lo básico,” a remark that fits the turn she is making now from constant exposure to routine study.
The handover closes the public chapter of a reign that brought international visibility, friendships with other Miss Universo contestants and the kind of attention that can follow a titleholder long after the sash is put away. What remains unresolved is the exact moment she will return to university, but the direction is clear: Luaces is leaving pageant obligations behind and going back to Economics.
